All The Ways We Touch [MxM]

twenty-nine - the halloween carnival

Parking the Land Rover, Elliot looked over at Jamison whose eyes were wide with excitement. "Ready to have a night of pure fun?"

"Yes!" Jamison hopped out of the car and came around to the front, his hands clasped together. "My first carnival!"

Joining him, Elliot tried to ignore the longing in his chest to be able to casually reach over, take his hand, and proudly walk into the carnival together. 'There's always next Halloween.'

"Hurry up!" Jamison reached over and took Elliot's hand, pulling him faster towards the flashing lights near a banner that read: Halloween Carnival Spooktacular

'That works too.' Laughing, Elliot picked up the pace. "We're supposed to meet everyone at the tilt-a-whirl."

"That sounds unpleasant," Jamison laughed and slowed down as they entered the midway, his eyes glancing in every direction as his senses were on overload from the sights, scents, and sounds. "Where is it?"

"I'll lead the way," Elliot assured, pulling him along. Navigating the way through throngs of screaming children and rogue teenagers harassing each other, he pointed to the group waiting outside of the ride. "Is that Wren?"

Jamison squinted and then nodded. "Yeah! She asked Katie out so I guess they decided to join us." Walking up to them, he waved his free hand, his cheeks flushing at holding hands in front of all of them. It made their relationship all the more real and his heart swelled with pride at Elliot wanting to be seen with him romantically. Not that he was surprised at this point, but he still found it hard to believe that Elliot was enamored with him.

A chorus of "Hey!" echoed around the group as they stopped. Elliot made eye contact with Vera who had glanced down at their hands. "Don't," he warned.

"Don't what?" She teased, tilting her head to the side. "Don't talk about how sickeningly adorable you two are?"

Jamison's hand tightened around Elliot's. "Thank you," he retorted, playfully sticking his tongue out at her. "We are, aren't we?"

"Terribly," Sam muttered, rolling his eyes. "I didn't realize that Ant and I were gonna be third-wheeling three couples!"

Ant gasped and wrapped his arm around his shoulders. "Oh, you didn't realize this is a date?"

"Oh, is it?" Sam jerked his head around and jokingly kissed Ant.

It seemed Sam was going to pull away until Ant grabbed a hold of his jacket and kept him there for a few long seconds of passionate kissing. "Now you know what you're missing out on," he said, winking at him after pulling away.

Elliot blinked a few times. 'He did say he was into muscular guys...'

"Whoa," Jack whispered, meeting Katie's eyes.

Both Jamison and Wren looked at each other and shrugged, neither knowing the inner workings of the group well enough to be specifically aware of why that was so shocking.

Everyone seemed surprised but none more than Sam who hadn't stopped staring at Ant, who had since yawned twice.

"Um, so," Vera shook her head and let out a quiet laugh. Surprised with herself, she covered her mouth with her hand and looked at Elliot, like he should lead.

"So, how about we start with some rides?" He asked, raising his hand as he surveyed the group. "Yes?"

Everyone agreed and they walked over to the ticket booth. When they'd each bought tickets, they began to wander towards a big carousel-looking ride that lifted you high in the air as you swung around.

It didn't take long for them to get on the ride and as they flew through the air, Jamison looked out at the grounds, the groups of people running around, and couples kissing. With the wind blowing through his hair and cold nipping at his cheeks, he felt strangely alive. Extending out his arms, he closed his eyes and leaned into the feeling of flying.